ABOUT

Privateer Holdings is a private equity firm shaping the future of the legal cannabis industry.

Founded in 2010 in Seattle by three visionary entrepreneurs with decades of experience in investment banking and venture capital, we represent a group of investors from around the world seeking to end cannabis prohibition and the social harms it causes. Through a combination of acquisitions, investments and incubation, we are focused on building a portfolio of global brands that will lead, legitimize and define the future of cannabis.

We have three fundamental beliefs:

1.Cannabis is a mainstream product consumed by mainstream people;2.The end of cannabis prohibition is inevitable; and3.Brands will determine the future of the cannabis industry.

We are set apart by the depth of hands-on management and investment experience of our team, which includes Ivy League MBAs, PhD research scientists, marketing professionals and operators from world-leading brands, and even former federal law enforcement professionals.

In an industry stigmatized by negative perceptions and substandard business practices, we are elevating consumer expectations through consistent quality and service. When prohibition ends, we intend to hold the most enviable position in the market and to generate enormous returns – both financial and social.

A PIONEERING COMPANY OF FIRSTS

MAY 2010PRIVATEER HOLDINGS IS FOUNDED

Brendan Kennedy, Michael Blue, and Christian Groh quit their jobs in venture capital and investment banking to begin researching the cannabis industry. They travel the world meeting with cannabis growers, dispensary owners, patients, activists, lawyers and political campaigners.

OCTOBERPRIVATEER HOLDINGS LAUNCHES

After more than a year of in-depth, on-the-ground research, Privateer Holdings launches as the first private equity firm focusing exclusively on the cannabis industry.

DECEMBERLEAFLY ACQUISITION

Privateer Holdings acquires Leafly, a popular cannabis information and strain review app, marking the first investment by a private equity firm in the cannabis industry.

OCTOBERDEA AGENT JOINS AS GENERAL COUNSEL

Patrick Moen, a licensed attorney and federal narcotics agent, becomes the first person to leave the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to join the cannabis industry.

Patrick Moen

DECEMBER$7 MILLION SERIES A FUNDING ROUND CLOSES

Privateer Holdings closes $7 million in Series A funding, marking the first multi-million dollar fundraising round by an investment firm in the cannabis industry. “It was the hardest money we ever raised,” said CEO Brendan Kennedy.

APRILTILRAY OPENS IN CANADA

Tilray becomes the first American-owned company to operate a federally-licensed commercial cannabis production facility.

MAYLEAFLY IS NAMED APP OF THE YEAR

Geekwire awards its top honor to Leafly over Microsoft, Cloak and Lively – naming Leafly the 2014 “App of the Year”.

AUGUSTLEAFLY PUBLISHES FIRST CANNABIS AD IN THE NEW YORK TIMES

Leafly becomes the first cannabis company to place a full-page print advertisement in The New York Times, congratulating the state of New York on passing the Compassionate Care Act and reminding consumers to #JustSayKnow.

NOVEMBERMARLEY NATURAL DEBUTS ON NBC’s TODAY SHOW

Marley Natural – a partnership between Privateer Holdings and the family of Bob Marley – is unveiled as the world’s first global cannabis brand, on NBC’s Today Show. The news is heard around the world, resulting in more than 2 billion earned media impressions and more than 2,000 stories printed in 196 countries.

Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund becomes the first institutional investor in the legal cannabis industry through an investment in Privateer Holdings’ Series B round. The news is announced on CBS This Morning and generates more than 2 billion impressions.